Incident Overview
During a charter operation flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from Johannesburg to Skukuza, the flight crew encountered significant operational challenges. The primary issue arose when the crew was unable to receive the Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) signal required for navigation. Compounding this technical difficulty, poor visibility conditions necessitated an immediate change in plans.
Diversion and Crash Sequence
In response to the inability to maintain their intended route and the reduced visual environment, the crew elected to divert to Hoedspruit Airport. As they initiated the descent phase toward the diversion airfield, the aircraft struck a hillside. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All thirty individuals on board sustained injuries during the crash.
Investigation Findings
Official investigation findings indicate that the accident was likely precipitated by an Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) malfunction. This equipment failure led to a critical navigational error where the crew believed they were approaching Hoedspruit Airport. In reality, the aircraft was located 67 kilometers southwest of the city at the time of the impact.